Sysmex Corporation (HQ: Kobe, Japan; Chairman and CEO: Hisashi Ietsugu) announces that a collaboration agreement has been signed between Sysmex Inostics, a subsidiary of Sysmex Corporation, and Merck as outlined below.

Sysmex Inostics, a subsidiary of Sysmex Corporation, today announced a collaboration agreement with Merck through its biopharmaceutical division Merck Serono, for the development and commercialization of a RAS kit for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

"We are looking forward to this important collaboration with Merck Serono and to bringing our innovative technology to mCRC patients," said Fernando Andreu, CEO of Sysmex Inostics. "Together, with our non-invasive, blood-based diagnostics and Merck Serono's expertise in personalized medicine, we will open up new possibilities to advance biomarker testing in mCRC. This collaboration is another major step in enhancing the clinical value of Sysmex Inostics' OncoBEAM™ tests and exemplifies Sysmex's overall strategy to bring sensitive blood-based testing to the oncology field."

Under the terms of the agreement, Sysmex Inostics will develop blood-based RAS diagnostic tests based on its BEAMing technology for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Sysmex Inostics' BEAMing tests enable a very sensitive analysis of circulating tumor DNA shed into the blood stream. These tests provide a non-invasive alternative to traditional biopsies in determining the mutational status of a patient's tumor. These blood-based biomarker tests allow for the selection of an appropriate therapeutic agent without the need for further surgeries or biopsies. Moreover, blood-based diagnostic DNA tests can be performed on patients where no tumor tissue is available.

"We are delighted to announce our strategic partnership with Sysmex Inostics," said Belén Garijo, President and CEO of Merck Serono. "As a company, we have embraced the principles of personalized medicine and predictive biomarkers. This collaboration reflects our commitment to leveraging our expertise in personalized medicine and predictive biomarkers in order to enhance Erbitux's value proposition for patients, physicians and payers."

About Merck KGaA

Merck is a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. With its four divisions Merck Serono, Consumer Health, Performance Materials and Merck Millipore, Merck generated total revenues of € 11.1 billion in 2013. Around 38,000 Merck employees work in 66 countries to improve the quality of life for patients, to further the success of customers and to help meet global challenges. Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company - since 1668, the company has stood for innovation, business success and responsible entrepreneurship. Holding an approximately 70 percent interest, the founding family remains the majority owner of the company to this day. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany is holding the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are Canada and the United States, where the company is known as EMD.

About Sysmex Inostics GmbH

Sysmex Inostics, a subsidiary of Sysmex Corporation, is a molecular diagnostic company whose core competency is mutation detection utilizing highly sensitive technologies such as Plasma-Sequencing and BEAMing. With BEAMing being one of the most sensitive and quantitative technologies available today for the detection of tumor specific somatic mutations in blood samples, Sysmex Inostics' BEAMing services are readily available to support clinical trials and research in oncology. Furthermore, Sysmex Inostics companion diagnostics (CDx) team offers services for the development of non-invasive plasma DNA based IVD tests supported by a growing network of partners to cover the entire IVD development process. In addition, BEAMing tests (OncoBEAM™) are available through a CLIA certified laboratory for routine clinical analysis.

Sysmex Inostics' headquarters are located in Hamburg, Germany and Sysmex Inostics' Clinical Laboratory is located in Baltimore, Maryland. For more information on OncoBEAM blood testing and the BEAMing technology refer to www.sysmex-inostics.com or email info@sysmex-inostics.com.

About Sysmex Corporation

Sysmex Corporation is a world leader in clinical laboratory systemization and solutions, including laboratory diagnostics, laboratory automation and clinical information systems. Serving customers for more than 40 years, Sysmex focuses on technological leadership in diagnostic science and information tools that make a difference in the health of people worldwide. The company is also exploring emerging opportunities in the life science field. Its R & D efforts focus on the development of high-value-added testing and diagnostic technologies that are innovative, original and optimize individual health. Sysmex also seeks to leverage its state-of-the-art technologies for gene and protein analysis. The company, headquartered in Kobe, Japan, has subsidiaries in North America, Latin America, Europe, China and Asia Pacific and employs more than 6,000 employees worldwide. Sysmex Corporation is listed in the top tier of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. For more information about Sysmex Corporation and its affiliate companies, please visit http://www.sysmex.co.jp/en/.

Information contained in the press release is current as of the date of the announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.